A half dozen or more years ago I had an HW97. I appreciated the quality, but just wasn't using it -- still married, still working -- and off it went.
Retired and divorced in Texas, I thought I might dip my toe in field target, hunter piston class. I know the AA TX200s are tough guns to beat, but the HW97s breathe down their necks.
The 97K arrived this afternoon UPS from y'all-know-where in the Netherlands. On first examination, the rifle appears to be faultless. I just had to shoot it in the garage a couple of times without sights, and darn if it did not hit where I thought I was looking.
Decided to mount the trusty Hawke 2-7 I recently removed from the Xisico B-25H (in the classifieds

) just to have an aiming point. I'll be darned if it wasn't dead on at garage range. The trigger is excellent, the piston stroke smooth; these German rifles just never disappoint.
One thing popped into my mind: does anyone use abrasive or "skateboard" tape on the upper end of the inner face of the cocking lever to reduce the chance of slippage, especially in humid conditions?